Press Release 29 April 2008
The Finnish Chemical Industry Federation

Energy and materials efficiency take priority in chemical industry’s investment in environment, health and safety in 2007

Capital spending on environment, health and safety by the chemical industry in environmental, health and safety (EHS) work reached a record high of EUR 124 million in 2007. A quarter of this was targeted at improving energy efficiency and a fifth at waste management i.e. improving materials efficiency. Information about the investment has been compiled in the Responsible Care programme’s annual report, which is published online at www.chemind.fi.

Record capital spending on environment, health and safety  in EHS work
Energy and materials efficiency are clearly becoming the focal points for EHS work. A total of EUR 55 million was invested in developing these operations in 2007, more than 40 per cent of all the investment in EHS.

In all, a record EUR 124 million was invested in EHS work by companies in the industry, 44 per cent more than in 2006. The operating costs of these operations were also at a record high, EUR 114 million in 2007.

Development of energy efficiency a challenging task
The chemical industry has been monitoring the development of energy efficiency for twelve years. During this time the energy efficiency index has improved by 26 per cent. There are still, however, plenty of challenges. The chemical industry is committed as a sector to the revised national energy efficiency agreement.

Outstanding results in water discharges and air emissions
As a result of EHS work, there has been a noticeable fall in particular in water discharges and atmospheric emissions by the chemical industry, as is apparent from the relevant indexes, which are proportioned to production.

According to the indexes, acidifying air emissions have fallen by more than 80 per cent since 1988. In the same period emissions of volatile organic compounds into the atmosphere have fallen by more than 70 per cent. Greenhouse gas emissions have also been monitored by the sector since 1999.

The water-discharge indexes show a similar trend. Discharges of potentially ecotoxic substances have fallen by almost 90 per cent since 1988. Eutrophying water discharges have been reduced by more than 50 per cent.

Setback with injuries
Considerable progress has been made with occupational safety, but not enough. Injuries leading to absence from work have fallen by about 70 per cent since 1988. During the past two years, however, the trend has not been good. In 2005, the number of injuries was at its lowest, 11.1 lost time injuries per million work hours, whereas in 2007 it had risen to 13.5 lost time injuries per million work hours.

Progress made in EHS work is monitored and reported every year as part of the chemical industry’s international Responsible Care programme. In Finland 104 companies employing more than 20,000 people in different areas of the chemical industry have committed themselves to the programme. The report containing the information for 2007 was published on 22 April 2008. The information covers more than 80 per cent of production by the chemical industry in Finland.

Further information is available from:
The Finnish Chemical Industry Federation
Aimo Kastinen, Director, + 358 9 1728 4320 or
+ 358 9 400 604 348
Sami Nikander, Standardization and Management Systems Manager, + 358 9 1728 4258 or + 358 40 567 4413.

More detailed information about the results of the programme can be found on the website www.chemind.fi/home under the heading Facts and Figures.